Manchester United are confident of tying Paul Pogba down at Old Trafford on a long term basis but have put any fresh contract talks on hold in response to the Frenchman’s recent comments regarding his future, according to reports.

Pogba, speaking to Sky Germany on Wednesday, caused a stir among supporters by refusing to rule out moving elsewhere in the near future.

“My future is currently in Manchester,” he said. “I still have a contract, I’m playing there at the moment, but who knows what will happen in the next few months.”

His agent Mino Raiola, who recently attacked Paul Pogba on social media for criticising his client’s performance against Brighton, is reportedly keen on securing a deal with Barcelona in January or over the summer.

But according to ESPN‘s Rob Dawson, United remain relaxed about the situation surrounding Pogba’s future. Plans were in place to step up discussions over a new deal in early 2020, but that has now been changed amid the precarious situation with the Frenchman and his agent.

Ed Woodward is still in a firm position, even with Raiola sitting on the other side of the negotiating table, which is why the planned negotiations have been put back. Notably, they have a one year option they can deploy to keep him contracted to United until 2022.

Pogba has emphasised he is happy to work with Jose Mourinho and is unlikely to leave in January, but has continually refused to rule out the prospect of pushing for a move elsewhere in the summer.